Dentist - WWYD?

I lost a tooth a few years ago due to a failed root canal. Since my front 2 teeth had shifted, I decided for cosmetic reasons to have bridge put on (total of 5 teeth) in order to avoid a dental implant and to straighten my smile.

Since then I have kept up with my regular 6 month maintenance and cleanings. I would sometimes bleed when I brushed but I contributed it to brushing to hard. I moved here and went to the dentist. Had a few caps redone and a scailing. I was advised that I should look into having my bridge replaced asap b/c I had periodontal diesease. They stressed the need for me to remove the bridge and see what was going on under there. I considered it. The cost was approx 7K and my insurance would only cover $1K. I shopped around and went to 2 different dentists. One said it wasnt urgent that I had it replaced. The other said I should. They both stressed that if I didn't take care of it, I would chance a root canal. So I went for it.

I went back to my original dentist since I felt the most comfortable with him and he started the procedure in January. It was finally completed in June. The lab made 2 new bridges for me that were rejected due to size and color so this entailed a lot of pulling off the temps, putting back on, pulling off and putting back on while the new bridge was being made.

I've had the new one on for 3 weeks now. The first week, no issues. The 2nd week I woke up in the middle of the night with massive gum pain on the top and bottom. I went in to see him, he took Xrays and said everything looked fine. No infection, no asbess. He suggested it was finally settling or I was a tooth grinder, take some Tylenol and call me if it gets worse.

2 days later the pain subsides. GREAT! Next day it's back but in just one area. One of the capped teeth, in the tissue area. Hurts to smile or laugh. I call him and tell his receptionist whats going on. She calls me back and says:

"He wants you to wait it out a few days and continue with the Tylenol. Theres no point in you coming in when he just saw you, it's only going to cost you more money. If in a few days you are still in pain he will refer you to a specialist b/c he thinks you might need a root canal"

***!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First are you seriously going to charge me to come in for 10 freakin min when I just paid you 6K out of my own pocket?

Second the whole purpose of doing this was to avoid a root canal. So I'm thinking with all of the stress of taking off and putting on it might have traumatized the tooth. I was very calm on the phone and asked her why he couldnt tell if a root canal was needed when he took Xrays and she said sometimes they cant tell and then I asked well do you think this was caused by the work that I just had done? She said possibly or work that you had done prior. Give me a freakin break.

Now...if it is root canal, what do I do? Do they really expect me to pay for this to be done?

I'm beginning to think that it was a poor judgement call on his part. He told me while we were in the process that I had really short roots. That my orthodontist pulled my teeth too fast. So....wouldn't that be an issue by pulling and pushing so many times bc your lab messed up?

Re: Dentist - WWYD?

Message edited 12/31/2010 9:20:37 PM.

Re: Dentist - WWYD?